Old Walkie Talkie Models Are SO Yesterday! Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio Review

[@theoutdoorempire]

Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio price and info 👉 rockytalkie.pxf.io/xkeer3 (affiliate link, FYI) Read the full written review for even more insight! 👉 outdoorempire.com/rocky-talkie-5-watt-radio-review/

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

DeWalt wont work has a range of 20 thousend ft and 12 floors up BAD CHOICE

[@bash6519]

i wanna say as a company Rocky Talkie is pretty awesome, their Customer service was outstanding and ended up sending us a brand new radio after giving us a call and trying to trouble shoot our issue we had one malfunction after being stored in a box with wet ski gear. 10/10 and would give them my money again. Also another channel did a tear down of either the radio or the handset attachment and found it to be very high quality and not just some generic Chinese electronics.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice! Great to hear, thanks for sharing.

[@Pirate19501]

Great Radio! Got mine 3 weeks ago and it is everything they said it was and it works great.

[@jimmyjames0912]

Great honest and funny video!!! A great call out to significant others going through receipts!!! You're now on my follow list, thanks for keeping it real and educational!!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@jonathanluna7955]

This was a great and thorough review. Thanks for going so in depth!

[@theoutdoorempire]

You bet! Thanks for watching.

[@Feldmanphysicaltherapy]

Just ordered a set, excited to put them through the paces

[@theoutdoorempire]

Nice! Enjoy.

[@gr1maldi]

I'm a hunter, I like it if it had a headphone jack or bluetooth so it doesn't go off when a deer is neerby.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Ya that's a great point. It does have that M3 connector for the optional lapel mic. I wonder if there might be a third party option for a headset with that.

[@gzahnd]

Agree re: bluetooth. If it had a bluetooth option, in my case for pairing with my motorcycle helmet comms unit, it would be damn near perfect.

[@tjsound1258]

you can shut off all beeps related to the PTT. You can also turn off all beeps re to power on/off.

[@simonnoble7589]

Just turn down the Volume down

[@prjctwolf]

Thank you for explaining in such a way that i could understand

[@blakeblack9892]

My man. Your channel is incredible and simplistic, you are about to blow up in a few months gaining thousands of subscribers. Straight to the point. A brief history and guide of use tutorial along with differences in products, while at the same time providing an advertisement service as a secondary business (we know its the main building model) You don’t act like you know more than you do, normal individual, not character driven, also testing all products and giving scenarios for your audience. This is what tv used to be like, I genuinely feel more educated about the products and the unique and creative shot selection is awesome with the cuts so the viewer isn’t just watching one long shot. Very impressive I am subscribing

[@theoutdoorempire]

Wow, this means a lot, thank you! It's definitely a work in progress but I appreciate the support.

[@blakeblack9892]

@@theoutdoorempire you’re awesome brotha I appreciate the quality content

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

SIMPLISTIC which is really a family service channels example I run RPT 21 repeater channels 21 IS channel 21 on family service radio SO thay are playing on kiddie band radio I put out 45 watts and talk 20 miles off a radio tower near me and I live in a apartment 200 ft up on a hill with nothing between me and the tower but air space

[@melmendes4president348]

I am a avid rock climber. I love the Mountain Radio Walkie Talkies. I saw they came out with a new model and I was wondering what the benefits are. Thanks for posting this video.

[@theoutdoorempire]

You bet! Thanks for watching.

[@WayneTheSeine]

Very nice looking radio. I like the simplicity and like that it shows the power when you are on gmrs or frs. I have the appropriate license for gmrs and encourage everyone using or entertaining the use of these radios to go ahead and pay the ransom to use gmrs....$35 and you are legal for ten years as well as all family members. After licensing you will receive a call sign and you need to read up on the rules of when you should use it....signing on and signing off for instance. The price is pretty high but I would love to own two.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Good advice. Yeah, they are nice but not cheap.

[@RKingis]

Just so you know FRS & GMRS are 22 channels as of 2018.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

most ham radio guys all have a G M R S licness I am a licensed holder my self my radio three hand held's $ 150.00 each and base at 45 watts st me back 250 all with a licensee to use it

[@bash6519]

i really just wish they would make the FRS Mountain Radio with the same IP67 waterproof rating of the 5Watt. I dont need 5w i just need it to work when i fly off my jetski.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

look up RUGGED RADIO the sell radio.s for off roading thay are water tight and no stuped extra buttons.

[@stephenszabo2361]

Try the retevis rt49b...fully waterproof. Great frs radio...under $70.00 for a pair.

[@TwitchRadio]

I rather get the baofeng gmrs radio they have out if I'm paying that much but I do like the Simplicity of having a pair of these to give out to family members

[@theoutdoorempire]

Indeed, those Baofengs are a good deal but this Rocky Talkie is pretty foolproof.

[@TwitchRadio]

@@theoutdoorempire very true, that's why I ordered a set for when I'm out with friends and family.. Hope they last a life time 😎✌️

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

those where low end ham radio starter radio

[@TwitchRadio]

@@donalderickson-si8ww nope, they have a GMRS radio now... I think it came out about 4 to 5 years ago... best part of having those is the texting app Feature to where you can use text base with you and your group / someone in the group.... yeah the technology isn't super perfect and they still have to work within the parameters of the FCC, but not bad for what it is... Plus nowadays most people are more familiar with texting than radios and sub channels / CTCSS... By using the these and packet radio kinda a good rounded radio.... do you want to stay Old School radio could use the tidradio H6 (may be different last number)... they have a 10 watt version that you can use for just gmrs or you can unlock it so you can get gmrs and both 2 m and 440... possibly airband I don't remember off top my head... honestly all boils down to what you're actually looking for... Text base / packet radio seems to be the way things are going but traditional radios are definitely my favorite.. 😎✌️

[@Skyline-Imaging]

@outdoorempire - Chase, great review. I wish I would have found it sooner... My sister purchased a couple Motorola T600 radios last year and we found we really need at least one more. I did a little searching on KZbin and found the Midland MXT275 vehicle radio, however after speaking to the rep from Midland they said that Motorola was notorious for preprograming the privacy channels. I should check the owner's manual to make sure they were compatible. I was not up for any more research. I am the guy who likes to just pull it out of the box and use it. I did however watch the range test that Rocky Talkie did on the FRS and GMRS radios, that was great too. Anyways... I will be subscribing to your channel, great stuff. By the way, did you know you look like Matt from Meat Church BBQ? you're not brothers are you?

[@theoutdoorempire]

Thanks for the comment and for the sub! Glad the review was helpful and I hear you on liking things to work out of the box. I plan on doing a walkie talkie comparison video soon (I have about a dozen different models). And no, I don't know Matt, but with a name like Meat Church BBQ, I wish I did!

[@jmmorgenstern7005]

And one of the things that I'm also talking about. Is the Zillow walkie-talkies that I've been sold on Amazon eBay and other places again? The ZE LLO walkie-talkies that I'm being sold all over the place. What happens if there's a disaster and you don't have a silk connection? Well combining that with AGM RS FRS or mers radio GMRS FRS or mirrors radio. You're basically insuring that people will have service no matter wherever they are. So if to sell signal is no more guess what you? Can? Still communicate? On. FRS or GMRS Omer's depending on which brand or which whatever you have. This is something that's absolutely missing since next tells demise direct talk. What a very important feature. Because it allowed people to go off grid completely. And use a regular old fashioned walkie-talkie. They're kind of walking talking like a children use. With frs or or or mirrors or whatever but FRS is actually more to the to what I'm talking about but again you can even have. Mirrors and you can even have GMRS so either way. Why can't you have FRS so either way? That's what these phones are missing mega mega mega time. Weather. It's a Zillow car wacky talkie or whether it's a actual handheld cell phone. That fits into your pocket. This is something that's really really missing on these devices. Anyway. I hope companies take this seriously because an in a situation where c*** hits the fan. The Zillow walkie-talkie aint gonna help you? Having an FRS or GMRS or mers radio in your cell phone like that or in your car walkie-talkie that has Zillow. In it. Now the words they're walking talking after screwing to your car and has like a handheld microphone a fist Mike and whatever having a mirrors FR. S or GMRS radio in that would actually not only in hands you're coming to. But it will. Be a necessity should you be in an offer of situation where there is no sell signal whether is nothing doing? Having that in your regular cell phone would actually be A? Tremendous gift to society.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

depending IF the tower has back up power and you are required to have a G M R S licensee to use are towers.

[@garzilla4624]

My wife and I own 5 heavily wooded acres, all the walkies we have used are usually from big box stores and they ALWAYS break…. On top of that we paddle board, hike in the mountains, mountain bike, and other outdoor activities. I have a great feeling about this purchase, I figured if I keep going to the big box store, I will eventually spend what these cost….. Update! They came in and they have been great! I managed to reach a receiver 18 miles away with the longer whip antenna they give you!! Such perfection! I cannot wait to get back to the mountains!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Oh wow! I think you're probably right and I'm guessing these would be tough enough for you. Just keep in mind for the paddle boarding that even though they're waterproof, they don't float. So make sure to use that leash.

[@loneerv]

here's the thing I'm not seeing people talk about. on the intro video from Rocky Talkie it states that you can connect this radio to repeaters, but I don't see anybody trying it. they keep mentioning CT codes, but to get on a repeater you need CTCSS tones(which I presume is what the CT codes are) yet, I don't see it being mentioned outside of that intro video. the "privacy" channels mentioned look like any other FRS/GMRS big box store bought radio. is the ability to connect to a repeater just an overstatement?

[@theoutdoorempire]

That's a great point. We'd like to really test that out, just haven't had the chance yet. We'll See what we can do!

[@Seb_Sacco]

Yes I also wanted to know about this. Was hoping the video would let me know more about that. Great video though. Would love to see another about repeater use.

[@RKingis]

Pus, many repeaters use split tones!

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

THAY are not on a repeater any ware thay are talking on kiddy band which are off repeater channels 15 through 22 on F R S IF thay where on G M R S thay would be talking 20 miles

[@sonnyecho9195]

Thank you for this review

[@theoutdoorempire]

My pleasure!

[@lawrenceroycemanapsal7741]

hello. i know this would be out of topic from the video, but do you know a good and cheap FRS radio? i live in Raleigh, NC and i would use it for communications on convoy on highways. Or should i go to the next best thing, GMRS? if yes, i was eyeing on the baofeng UV-5R. hopeful for your advice. thanks

[@theoutdoorempire]

Thanks for reaching out! We've actually been testing a bunch of different FRS and GMRS radios this past year and are about to publish some more content on it. There are several reviews on our website right now. It really depends on what you want in terms of budget, range, battery life, and durability. The Cobra MicroTalk ACXT345 comes to mind as a decent little radio that's pretty cheap. There's a Midland T10 that's about as cheap as it gets and it does the job pretty well too. Check this page out and see if anything strikes you as interesting. outdoorempire.com/category/outdoor-gear/gadgets/

[@treehugger420]

Awesome review!!!

[@theoutdoorempire]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@treehugger420]

Your review gave me the confidence to order the 5w gmrs 😊

[@theoutdoorempire]

@@treehugger420 Right on! I hope you enjoy them.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

@@treehugger420 since these guys are on simplex you need a licensee for G M R S service before you can play on are towers say know grass hopper

[@bindthedevilloosetheangels]

5 watts and water resistant is awesome. But a Baeofeng UV9RPRO has the same power and water resistant capability for only $30. You just need someone who knows how to program it.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

sorry thay won't answer you you looking for some real radios used by the world of off road look up RUGGED radio everyone in the shop build the radio's thay sell I bought $ 700.00 dollars worth of gear and am very happy with it besides my three walkie talkies ther is a 45 watt base thay don't have for base camp post.

[@Proyoska]

And a HAM license

[@youreright7534]

​@@Proyoska need one for this too. 2w is the max for frs

[@Proyoska]

@@youreright7534GMRS license is for up to 5 watts

[@mxracer317]

5W radio weight needs to come down a little, add Bluetooth and VOX and then it's unbeatable!

[@earthangel8875]

We just bought some property in a rural mountain area. The town does not have a cellphone tower. I was in the back shed (150 ft away from home) trying to call my wife inside the house. I did not have cellphone reception, frustrating. This property is on 3 acres with trees and boulders but not forest dense. I am in the market for a two-way reliable radio so when I'm on the property I can contact my wife in the house. Would the Rocky talkie be a good choice for my purpose? Does anyone know? Thanks MountainAngel

[@theoutdoorempire]

I think they'd do swell in your application on 3 acres. In fact these might be overkill. You ought to be able to get away with a cheaper set if you don't care about all the fancy features. We have an article on our website with some sharp options and several reviews of different models too that you might check out.

[@mattmccallum2879]

Curious to see these work on kayak trips

[@theoutdoorempire]

Just remember they don't float!

[@Jakepp235]

Good info thank you

[@theoutdoorempire]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MKF30]

I live in NYC but a spot woth all hills, trees, cars and houses so been searching for a good GMRS that can get past 1 mile. Im thinking this is a good option. Also that was hilarious how you were channel hopping and found someome who needed more underwear 😅🤣 Nice review. I wonder are there any other good GMRS radios like this A. A little cheaper and B. Alao waterproof and C. Relatively easy to use? Thanks! Merry Christmas 🎄

[@theoutdoorempire]

Thanks for the comment and I think this could be a good option for you, though you'd have to test it where you are to see if it would really work. Urban environments are the toughest because not only do you have obstacles, but you have a lot or interference. You may need a GMRS radio that can transmit up to 50 Watts instead of 5 like this one. There are a couple other good GMRS walkie talkies like this one, but not really that check all the boxes you mention (cheaper, waterproof, easy to use). You may get 2 out of those 3 things. The Midland GXT1000 is cheaper and easy to use, but it's not waterproof. There's the Baofeng UV-9G that is cheap and waterproof, but not sure how easy it is to use.

[@MKF30]

@@theoutdoorempire Oh wow. I see. Hmm interesting. Thanks for the recommendations. I shall write those down. Appreciate it! I think the biggest drawback with this particular radio(the rocky talkie) is the price for one but otherwise looks awesome 👌

[@RKingis]

You need a GMRS radio which can access local repeaters. In a city like NY, there is really no radio that can breakthrough all that metal.

[@MKF30]

@@RKingis I don't live far from a cell phone tower (a few miles) but I have no idea if those also work as repeaters or not. I forgot to mention my part of NYC is not Manhattan, where I live aren't a lot of tall buildings but there are a lot of hills and trees however.

[@theoutdoorempire]

@@RKingis Good news is, this radio can connect to repeaters. So that could be a good option.

[@p.VAZ.]

this was great . thank you

[@theoutdoorempire]

You're welcome.

[@kevincummins5675]

Trying to decide between that Rocky walkie mountain versus the Midland GTX 67 Pro both close and price, but there are some nice features on the Midland. Don’t know if you reviewed that but those seem to be the two radios so your thoughts are appreciated.

[@theoutdoorempire]

I haven't used the Midland GTX 67, so can't competently comment on it yet. Sorry about that.

[@RKingis]

The Midland has a Super Heterodyne receiver.

[@alexkram]

I wish you would have talked about how it gets charged. USB? drop in?

[@theoutdoorempire]

Good point, sorry I missed that. Yes, it is USB-C rechargeable. Battery must be charged in radio. To remove battery/swap with spare requires screwdriver.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

news flash my radios from rugged radio are also watter tight but I will never throw them in water then you need to buy a new one at 150. each and thay come from the company with all the extra you need

[@bc_usa]

Newsflash it's also bulky and ugly as hell. Lol. Some people want something smaller more refined. 😮

[@salciano]

Does it float? Does it have bluetooth or similar?

[@theoutdoorempire]

No, it doesn't float and no Bluetooth or app or anything like that.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Baofeng UV-9R ip67 waterproof around 25bucks

[@theoutdoorempire]

Yep hard to beat that price!

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

bottom feeder beginner ham radio I think the F C C cleared them for family service radio use.

[@UB3RN3RD]

GMRS operators are permitted to transmit at up to ***50 watts*** transmitter power output, on the 16 main channels, but transmitting 1 to 5 watts is more common in practice.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Indeed, you are correct. Thanks for the correction!

[@RKingis]

Actually 1-7 are capped at 5watts, but 15-23 are capped at 50wats.

[@UB3RN3RD]

@@RKingis it says up to, nor are the frequencies specified. 73 KN6TZZ

[@RKingis]

@@UB3RN3RD § 95.1767 GMRS transmitting power limits. This section contains transmitting power limits for GMRS stations. The maximum transmitting power depends on which channels are being used and the type of station. (a) 462/467 MHz main channels. The limits in this paragraph apply to stations transmitting on any of the 462 MHz main channels or any of the 467 MHz main channels. Each GMRS transmitter type must be capable of operating within the allowable power range. GMRS licensees are responsible for ensuring that their GMRS stations operate in compliance with these limits. (1) The transmitter output power of mobile, repeater and base stations must not exceed 50 Watts. (2) The transmitter output power of fixed stations must not exceed 15 Watts. (b) 462 MHz interstitial channels. The effective radiated power (ERP) of mobile, hand-held portable and base stations transmitting on the 462 MHz interstitial channels must not exceed 5 Watts. (c) 467 MHz interstitial channels. The effective radiated power (ERP) of hand-held portable units transmitting on the 467 MHz interstitial channels must not exceed 0.5 Watt. Each GMRS transmitter type capable of transmitting on these channels must be designed such that the ERP does not exceed 0.5 Watt

[@baileymoto]

Handheld gmrs radios are limited to 5watts, which coincides with the topic at hand.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

MY radio's will always out talk yours everyday of the week never seen such jerks sim Plex whow I DO simplex on my 45 watt radio

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

I am on 6 repeater towers covering three county's with a license.

[@xeroblastx]

FCC license not hard to get but its hard to find

[@ClocksTickinStartLivin]

The FCC website is typically terrible

[@xeroblastx]

@@ClocksTickinStartLivin it is soooo bad! I needed my call signs for my GMRS license and it is virtually impossible to search it out thru the site… I had to google it to find the link of a link that i needed to get it… It is sooooo stupid how hard it is to find crap in there

[@theoutdoorempire]

That's a great way to put it. Took me a while.

[@jmmorgenstern7005]

What Rocky talkie and walkey talking companies failed to realize is? Is that they need to make this type of thing with A? Walkie-talkie cell phone not a word GMRS or FRS or even um verse needs to be part of a wacky talking system. And in Kansas City golf grid and all hell breaks loose at least you have AGM RS FRS or mers radio built into your mobile. Cell phone walkie-talkie. Christian have a better radio in your walkie-talkie cell phone. So anyway cell phones that are walking talkies are missing this. Thanks we're FRS or GMRS or mirrors radio and actual walking talking. We can actually talk in case or help break loose and you've get off grid for some reason. Always built a have an old fashioned walkie-talkie in yourself on that was the whole thing of next hell direct talk they called it. And something like that needs to be recreated God bless. I hope it does get recreated.

[@RKingis]

What???????

[@Bacnow]

That price is ridiculous! With its feature set it should be priced at $50 each! For that price, Why would i choose this over a BTech GMRS Pro? Rocky Talky 5W $165: -IP67 -Carabiner or gator clip included… -? Btech GMRS PRO $139: - full featured GMRS radio - Bluetooth - On-board digital compass - GPS enabled - IP67 - can send and receive Texts - offline maps and location history capability - type C USB charging - 2600 mAh battery

[@theoutdoorempire]

You raise some great points. I think a lot of folks prefer a simple, purpose-built tool that's really good at one thing over a feature-packed one that's more complicated to operate and just okay at a lot of things. Sorta like the old Swiss Army Knife vs single-blade debate. But that Btech GMRS Pro looks amazing, I think we might need to test one!

[@Bacnow]

@@theoutdoorempire - Fair enough, but a set of Wouxun KG 805G (super simple, tried and true, 5W GMRS) radios come in at $79 each or Wouxun KG 905Gs ($119 each).

[@baileymoto]

The gmrs pro is a great radio. But, to answer your question…this radio is a bit smaller, easier/somewhat more intuitive to use, has better battery life, and doesn’t have the hit or miss rx that the Btech is known for. If for pure and simple outdoor use, this is a better radio. If you need gps and texting (that everyone in range can read), the Btech is a better radio.

[@sink009]

I did some research into this. This radio is not that impressive. The TYT MD-UV390 is IP67 (unlike this that’s only IP66), programmable UHF and VHF (this is only UHF capable), and capable of both analog and digital communications, depending on what you want. And, the TYT is roughly the same price as this unit.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Baofeng UV-9R is cheaper

[@sink009]

@@phillipsmiley5930 I could be wrong, but I’m pretty sure that the UV-9R isn’t capable of digital. Now, the DM-1701 is pretty much a 1 for 1 of the MD-UV390, but it’s also roughly the same price, too.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Keep in mind this Rocky Talkie 5 Watt is a GMRS radio, unlike some of those others. That makes this one more approachable for a lot of recreational users like myself. But indeed those others are great options.

[@RKingis]

Digital is banned from GMRS.

[@baileymoto]

Well, first off…the rocky talkie is ip67. Second, completely different markets. The Rocky Talkie is meant to be a compact, simple radio to appeal to non radio dorks, but still compete in range, battery life, repeater capability, etc. Third, the TYT isn’t legal to transmit on GMRS, if that matters to anyone. It doesnt to me, but there are plenty of radio dork options out there to choose from, if the rocky talkie isn’t your cup of tea. The TYT wouldn’t even be in my top 3 in that case.

[@9160sisigi]

Try Baofeng, sir...😂

[@theoutdoorempire]

Noted.

[@bash6519]

requires a license from the FCC lol jfc. Uncle Sam always gets his cut.

[@AdaDenali]

Well, spectrum *is* a public commons, so some tax on usage is not totally out of hand

[@baileymoto]

The price is a bit absurd. It looks suspiciously like a $25 zastone radio from wish.

[@theoutdoorempire]

It's not cheap, but it is well made. I'm not familiar with the Zastone radio you're referring to.

[@lionsdejudah]

I wonder if that walkie talkie has some built in hair cutting scissors?

[@theoutdoorempire]

Indeed it does. If only you could see me now!

[@xaerothehero]

Problem with the Rockie Talkie is that you can't really get them anywhere

[@theoutdoorempire]

Ya, they sell direct to consumer only. Great small business though.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

privecy channels are not privet we only hear you and for throwing it in water none of my off road friends would do that are radio's are water tight and the battery and radio are sepert half's

[@RKingis]

Rockie Talkie's radios were not their invention, as they are rebadged Zastone mini9's.

[@theoutdoorempire]

Interesting, I'll look into that.

[@greendiode5522]

They don’t look the same at all.

[@RKingis]

@@greendiode5522 That's because they put a cover on it?

[@johnwalker7592]

idk for $165.. I need a headphone jack....

[@theoutdoorempire]

They do have a headset jack for an optional lapel mic, FYI.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

to use my towers you need a licensee for your radio first

[@KoljaMineralka]

insane price, not worth it.

[@ernfrid123]

Yes… at 200.00 pair may be.. but at that price, I’m pay the fcc licencia and buy a bunch of GRMS radios…🤷🏼‍♂️

[@JR-jc7oj]

It’s worth it

[@RKingis]

Wait until you look at an Icon, or Yaesu handheld!

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

I have more fun talking o people 20 miles away with my radio's tuned to a tower and ON weekends I talk to chicago I LL on a tower link see what you yo yo yo are missing